• Some People Have Real Problems

  • By: Brit Bennett
  • Narrated by: Tessa Thompson
  • Length: 33 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (192 ratings)

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Some People Have Real Problems

By: Brit Bennett
Narrated by: Tessa Thompson
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One woman's reflections on the routes she's taken through life.

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Publisher's summary

Ever wonder what it would be like to have chosen a different life path? In these moments, looking back may be the best way forward.

Some People Have Real Problems, written by Brit Bennett, the New York Times best-selling author of The Vanishing Half, and performed by Tessa Thompson, is a darkly funny short story about one woman’s reflections on the routes she’s taken through life and the detours she’s made along the way.

Doubts and guilt swirl through her mind as she rides the train to her fertility appointment. Each stop stirs up introspective thoughts on her marriage, the loss of her baby, and the lover who got away—contemplations that push her ever closer to wondering if she’s made the right decisions.

This masterful tale is an intrinsically relatable, courageous journey of self-reflection. It reminds us that while life may not always go as planned, we all possess the strength to move ahead.

©2022 Brit Bennett (P)2023 Audible Originals, LLC.
About the Performer-Tessa Thompson

About the Performer

Tessa Thompson is a critically acclaimed actress and is making her mark as a producer as well. Most recently, Thompson can be seen as ‘Valkyrie’ in Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder, which released in theaters in July 2022. In 2020, Thompson starred in Amazon Prime’s Sylvie’s Love, which she executive produced. In 2021, Thompson starred in the indie film Passing, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and which she also executive produced. Creed III is set to release in March 2023. Thompson’s past film credits include Creed, Creed II, Men in Black: International, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Endgame, Lady and the Tramp, Little Woods, Annihilation, Sorry to Bother You, Selma and Dear White People. Thompson can also be seen on television in HBO’s Westworld Season 4, which premiered in June 2022. In 2019, Thompson appeared on the cover of TIME magazine showcased as a trailblazer and "Leader of the Next Generation". In 2020, Thompson launched her production company, Viva Maude. The company was born from Thompson's desire to shape culture with work that's uncategorizable and manifestly entertaining. Announced projects include The Secret Lives of Church Ladies at HBO Max, Who Fears Death at HBO, Luster at HBO, and The Left Right Game at Amazon.

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What listeners say about Some People Have Real Problems

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well, that was intense . . .

Brit Bennett sure knows how to pull at your heartstrings and make you think. This short story was only 30 minutes and it pulled me in. Incredible.

5 stars

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Concise and observant

A very concise and observant behind the scenes look at a mother grappling with infertility & the remnants of missed opportunities. Tessa Thompson as always is a very capable & astute narrator. She brings life to her character’s narration. I was thoroughly education by this short & yet deep drive into the world of infertility.

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  • LS
  • 02-03-23

Touching short story

Great performance and great story. Really packs a punch. Would read/listen to anything Brit Bennett writes.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great Story, But Too Short

Tessa does a good job with the cadence of the story and brings it to life. I wish it was a little bit longer. It’s like listening to a short film.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Eh

It was a good story. I wish I knew the ending lol. Is there a part 2? lol

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story wanted more don’t want it to end

Brilliant writing. I was able to feel what the character was feeling see what she was seeing. The details in the story just amazing

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fast listen.

An introspective snippet rather like snap judgment on npr. There’s a Trigger for trying to conceive.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A bit too short to get attached to

Tessa Thompson did a great job narrating this short! This felt like a snapshot into the narrator's head, surrounding her miscarriage and thoughts on children.

It was a bit too short to feel any kind of connection with her, besides pain (which may have been the purpose.) Definitely check CWs, it's only 33 minutes long but a very emotional destruction kind of story.

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Great story

Kudos to the author, reader, and the Director. This is worth a listen, and should be listen to a few times to catch the nuance. Whether real or fictional it describes the stuff of life for everyone.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing

It’s a story that pulls you in to the main characters and leaves you wanting to discover more. This would make a great series!

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